Widespread disruption to air, sea and road travel is expected today as further sleet and snow adds to difficulties caused by sub-zero temperatures overnight and yesterday’s heavy snowfalls, particularly in the east.
Driving conditions are extremely difficult across Dublin and several other parts of Leinster this morning.
Airports
Dublin airport suspended flights from 12.45 to allow for snow and ice clearance. The DAA said flights resumed at 6.40pm.
It is thought about 100 flights were affected by the closure.
Passengers intending to travel from Dublin today are advised to consult with their airline's website before coming to the airport.
There were also flight cancellations mainly because of travel disruption at other European airports.
Buses
Bus services in the capital are operating but with curtailments and diversions. Services are set to end at 9pm.
A full list of affected Dublin Bus services is available on the company's website. It cancelled all services after 8pm last night due to poor road conditions. It said areas in the foothills of the mountains around Sandyford, Glencullen, Enniskerry and Firhouse would probably suffer severe disruption or loss of service today.
Bus Éireann said most services are operating as normal, although routes serving the northeast, southeast and Donegal were likely to face service disruptions.
Roads
AA Roadwatch said fresh and compacted snow is a major problem in the Leinster and southeastern regions, with icy stretches in the southwest, west and northwest.
Areas around Tullow and Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and Thomastown in Co Kilkenny were declared dangerous yesterday and gardaí were advising against unnecessary journeys.
Motorists travelling on the N2 Dublin/Monaghan Road through Co Meath were advised that the road through Slane, and also through Collon in Co Louth, may be impassable again today.
The Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap are impassable and there were extremely icy conditions along the N11 through Wicklow.
The National Roads Authority said half of its stockpile of 80,000 tonnes of salt has already been used. Dublin City Council said it was considering rationing its use of salt if conditions do not improve over the next week.
Ferries
Fast ferry services on the Irish Sea are in doubt today but ferry operators said conventional vessels were expected to travel. Passengers were advised to check the company websites.
Trains/Trams
Irish Rail is running a full service with the exception of Dunboyne trains which will terminate at Connolly Station instead of Docklands. It said there were delays to some services due to ice. It is providing service updates on its website.
There is a backlog for trains going through Connolly area tonight in both directions, with delays resulting.
All Luas services have been suspended until 5.30am because the level of snow on sections of the track is causing faults in some trams.
In Dublin and other parts of the east coast commuters faced delays and journeys of several hours to get home last night as snow fell almost continually throughout the day.
Because of the problems in the greater Dublin area a co-ordinated response has been put in place by the seven regional local authorities, the Health Service Executive, the Garda and Defence Forces in accordance with the major emergency framework.
The response was centred in the traffic control centre of the Civic Offices in Wood Quay. Motorists are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary.